I watch her turn and leave. God, she has a great ass. It would sit well in my hands. How pink would it become if I spanked it?
Why is it that we worked together for months and I never had a less-than-pure thought, but now when she leaves it’s imprinted on my brain?
Her luscious tits. Are the areolas light pink? What sounds does she make when they’re sucked? What if I were to pinch, pull, bite, and play with them?
What about those long legs wrapped around me, pushing me deeper inside her—or holding them open as my tongue dives for her honey.
I shake myself out of this utterly inappropriate daze. I try to concentrate on my work, not what my cock wants.
My phone rings, and it’s Corrine. “Why are you calling me?”
“I’m in the lobby. The FBI has arrived for Heather, and she just walked into the building. They’re arresting her here. Do you want to come down?”
“I’m on my way.”
I can hear her screeches before the elevator doors open.
“You can’t detain me! I know my rights! Let me go!”
She’s struggling with the two FBI agents holding her back as she lunges at Corrine. “You bitch! I’ll make sure your beloved Jackson knows all about you!”
I step into her line of sight.
“Mr. Graham, Corrine is behind this mess to get me arrested. She sent the box to herself. I saw her do it.”
Corrine stiffens, but before she can deny it, I speak. “Heather, Jeremy was arrested on Saturday for theft and corporate espionage. Your emails indicate you were helping him. I suggest that rather than lobbing lies about Ms. Woods, you use this time to consider who you’re going to hire to represent you. Because if the solar films are produced by anyone other than Soleil, I promise I’ll do my best to take every penny you earn for the rest of your life.”
Her eyes grow wide. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. You can’t arrest me. I only did what my boss told me to do.”
She’s still kicking and screaming as they lead her out of the lobby and place her in the back of a black government vehicle.
I turn around, and a large crowd has accumulated behind me. “Okay, everyone, show’s over. Get back to work.”
The crowd disperses, and I walk over to Corrine and the agent in charge.
“I’ll go as soon as she lets me,” Corrine says, motioning to the blond woman next to her.
“I’m not worried,” I assure her.
The female agent extends her hand. “I’m Agent in Charge Cora Perry.”
I nod. “Jackson Graham.”
“There are some things we’re investigating. Heather won’t be back today.”
“Keep her as long as you need. I’ll work with my HR team to make sure she never comes back.”
I don’t notice Corrine leave, but after a moment she returns with my coat. “You need to be at SHN in twenty minutes.”
“Thank you.”
Ben walks me to my car at the curb. When I spoke with Mason about the theft over the weekend, he wasn’t happy. But he knows we’re pursuing this through all possible avenues. That still doesn’t mean my meeting this morning is going to be enjoyable. I’m thinking it’s more akin to a root canal.
***
When I arrive at SHN’s offices, I’m shown to a conference room. The office is open and all glass, so I watch the receptionist go to Mason’s office, and he must send her to Sara’s office. She’s SHN’s attorney. Sara stands, and I see a noticeable baby bump. Good for her and her husband.
Mason arrives and brings me a cup of coffee. “We have whiskey, Bailey’s, or Kahlúa if you need it.”
“Today I’ll be fine. Saturday I nearly lost my shit,” I tell him.
“I don’t blame you. What a fucking mess. But I think Sara has some good news for us.”
“That would be outstanding.”
Almost as if on cue, Sara steps into the conference room. I stand and give her a hug. “You’re glowing.”
“Thank you. I am six months along, and the paparazzi is just figuring it out.” Sara’s husband is an Arnault. They’re old money, and Mason is engaged to her husband’s twin sister, Caroline.
“Well, I have good news.” She slides a piece of paper across the table. “This is Jeremy’s employment agreement. It includes an inventions clause that covers theft, and he can’t compete in the alternative energy sector if he leaves Soleil Energy for five years.”
“Great. What about the payout and his options?”
“I believe you’re in the clear. Even if he can make a case that he didn’t steal the information, his behavior is a violation of the ethics clause.”
“Now, let’s talk about an exit strategy,” Mason says.
“He isn’t allowed in the building,” I inform him. As far as I’m concerned Jeremy’s dead to me.
“That’s good, but we don’t know what he’s stolen at this point,” Mason reminds me.
“We think it’s just our proposal and the patent application, which unfortunately has a lot of research—significant data and design work—but it could be more. Jim’s tech team is looking into it.”
“I hate to say it, but this isn’t the first time we’ve seen this happen,” Sara says. “It’s our investment, too, so we want to be sure we do what we can to protect it.”
She leaves with our thanks, and Mason and I prepare for our lunch.
“How well do you know Stephanie?” I ask him.
“We went to grad school at Stanford together.”
“Okay, so more than just simple knowledge of her.”
He nods.
When we arrive at the Waterfront Café, we’re shown to a private room. Rumor has it a wealthy patron wanted a place to meet his mistress, but I’m not sure that’s the case. Private rooms like this are perfect for this kind of lunch,
